Status quo investigation on low-grade pupils vision in Zhabei District of Shanghai City

Objective To investigate the present status of eyesight and eye health at home in low-grade pupils in Shanghai Zhabei District,and to provide the basis for eyesight protection. Methods Random cluster sampling was done in 7 primary schools. A total of 2 598 pupils of grade 1-3 were included into our investigation. Visual examination was done for them and questionnaires approach applied to obtain information on pupils and their eye health at home. Results The low vision rate of low-grade pupils in primary schools in Zhabei District was 33.4%, of whom the boys were 31.5%, and the girls 35.6%. For pupils of grade one, two and three, the low vision rates were 30.2%, 31.3% and 39.7% respectively, and the mild low vision rates accounted for 72.5% of the total. It took hours per day for most pupils at home to do homework or read,and only 32.8% pupils had an interval of relaxation in 1 hour or less in doing homework and reading. Conclusion The low vision rate continues to rise,and the adverse eye health habits are prevalent in the pupils. Behavior intervention should be carried out as early as possible among low-grade pupils for myopia prevention.